Employee leave refers to the time an employee is allowed to be away from work while still maintaining their job status. This can include various types of leave, such as sick leave, vacation leave, and maternity leave. Each type of leave has specific guidelines and eligibility requirements, often outlined in a company's employee handbook or human resources policies. Employers typically provide a certain number of leave days per year, which can be accrued or granted upfront. Employees must usually notify their employer in advance and may need to provide documentation, such as a doctor's note, to validate their absence for certain types of leave.